Ariel and Rhaenys

[Marie]

"I've already got maesters to tend the wounded but if you do know a way to find food in unlikely places, that would be most useful. As would any information you can provide. If you don't mind not having an official position, that's all well and good. Still, I'll likely need ladies of the court one day, if we all survive this. You'd be most welcome to keep an eye on court matters then. A queen should know who is sleeping with who, who is open to bribery and who is planning to betray whom," Rhaenys commented. "Would you be willing to do that, when the time comes?"

[Princess Ariel Targaryen]

Ariel nodded. "Lady-in-waiting to the Queen again. I'd be happy to help you in such a manner, and keep tabs on the court." She grinned. "Unless the gods decide to laugh at our plans, I'd be happy to do such a small thing."

Ariel smiled. "Well, unless you need anything else from me, or you've built up a headache from dealing with our dear cousin?"

[Marie]

Rhaenys shook her head and smiled.

"I need nothing, thank you. Nothing that you can provide, anyway. Just...be careful who you talk to. I'd steer clear of Ironborn and Reachmen if I were yuo. Neither one of us wants to deal with false accusations against you, on top of all else. You msut be above reproach, Ariel."

[Princess Ariel Targaryen]

Ariel chuckled. "I fear that's rather impossible for one such as me. I'm always going to attract someone's ire, fear or accusation, whether because they believe me to be sleeping with the wrong person or casting some kind of black magic, and at least one of them will be true. But I'll try not to make too much trouble."

She rose and curtsied gracefully.

[Marie]

"I should hope so," Rhaenys answered, and started to dismiss Ariel before changing her mind and holding up a hand.

"Incidentally...do you have a bedmate? If he's someone important I ought to be aware of it, for political reasons. Normally I'd set my intelligence agents on the trail but in the present circumstances my whispers are somewhat lacking."

[Princess Ariel Targaryen]

Ariel shook her head. "Not at present, no. Though I may avail myself of the Lady Shahrizai sooner or later. She has been rather attentive in her courtship."

[Marie]

Rhaenys was surprised but she hid it well.

"You, and Shahrizai? How...surprising. Do you like both men and women then, or just women?"

[Princess Ariel Targaryen]

Ariel chuckled.

"'Surprising?' That's a reaction I haven't heard before. When I get one, it's usually far stronger than that."

"To answer your question, I prefer women on the whole, but there's plenty of exceptions. Sadly, all the good men are dying these days. Halliron, Simon..." She sighed, somewhat wistfully, then looked at Rhaenys. "Don't let Selwyn get away," she admonished. "He's too good of a man to waste."

[Marie]

Rhaenys had to smile. She was still uncertain of Selwyn on a personal level; they seemed to have litle in common besides their determination to do right by Westeros and an ability to please one another sexually. She was, however, well aware of his calibre as both general and lover.

"I won't," she said. "He's important to our cause."

She was more shocked than she cared to admit about Ariel's revelation but determined not to show it. She and Ariel were just learning to get along and nothing should be allowed to disturb that.

"I'm very glad we had this conversation."

[Princess Ariel Targaryen]

Ariel smiled at Rhaenys. "As am I, my cousin. May there never again be strife between us."

She curtsied again, and turned to move for the door. On the threshold, she turned her head, and playfully blew a kiss before slipping out.